Adhesive tape dispenser and applier



v Nov. 21, 1944. AA. ANDERSON ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLII BR 5 Sheets-sheaf 1 Original Filed June 27, 1941 Nov. 21, 1944. ANDERSON 2,363,277

ADHEs'IvE TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER Original Filed June 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 21, 1944. A. A. ANDERSON ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER Original Filed June 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m Iss Inveniof gmflflm Aiiarneys Nov. 21, 1944. A. A. ANDERSON 2,363,277 f ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER ori in-a1 Filed June 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 21, 1944.

ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIDR ANDERSON 2,363,277

Original Filed Jme 27, 1941 Sheets-*Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 21, 1944 ADHESIVE TAPE DISPENSER AND APPLIER Arthur A. Anderson, Rose Township, Ramsey County, Minn., assignor to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., a

corporation of Delaware Original application June 2'1, 1941, Serial No. 400,143. Divided and this application January 1, 1944, Serial No. 516,717

21 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for dispensing and applying tape, especially pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, i. e., tape which is normally tacky without the aid of solvents or heat.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 400,143, filed June 27, 1941.

The present invention has among its objectives the following:

To provide a simple device whereby pieces of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape of predetermined length are accurately measured, severed, dispensed and applied to objects brought into engagement therewith;

To provide an automatic device for rapidly sealing and/or labeling packages in factory assembly lines with pressure-sensitive adhesive tape direct from standard commercial supply rolls of such tape;

To provide such a device which will operate at high speed but whose dispensing speed is automatically adjusted to the speed at which the dispensed lengths of tape are removed, i. e., which will never dispense faster than the rate at which the tape is being consumed or used, so as to be suitable for slow and/or intermittent operation as well as high speed continuous operation;

To provide asimple device-whereby a plurality of objects such as boxes, bags, packages, letters, folders, or the like, may be automatically sealed with accurately measured predetermined lengths of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape in rapid succession simply by propelling the objects to be sealed into successive engagement with the said device To provide a simple device whereby units of- Briefly the invention provides a device having means for feeding a piece of adhesive tape into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter into contact v with the piece of tape, means for applying said piece of tape to said article upon said movement of the article, and means for automatically advancing a succeeding piece,of tape into applying position following each applying operation, so that a severed piece of tape is waiting in position for application to the next,'article. The device may have power driving means for operating thefeeding means.

The specific machine that is described. and illustrated in the following description and drawstands when facing the machine to operate it is called the front end, and the terms right and left,are from the point of view of such operator. Figures 1 and 2 are left and right side eleva-'- tions, respectively, of the machine with the left and' right sides, respectively, of the casing broken away. In Figure 2 the motor is not shown.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine with the .top of the casing broken away.

Figure .4 is a front elevation of the machine with the front of the casing broken away.

Figure 5 is a. vertical section taken on the line 5-5 in Figure 3 showing the Geneva wheels and mechanism for starting and stopping the motor (motor not shown in Figure 5).

Figure 6 is a radial sectional view of a cutter arm in dispensing position taken on the line 66 in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a cutter.

Figure 8 is a circuit diagram.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are left side elevations of the cutter wheel and applie'r mechanism with the left side of' the casing broken away showing a box before, during and after sealing, respectively. a Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of two machines positioned to seal two edges of one be simultaneously.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the under side of a box that has been sealed by a machine embodying the present invention.

To the base 2| is rigidly attached the upright frame 22 which in the present embodiment is cast in one long relatively narrow piece with bosses at proper points to which are attached the various parts of the machine, all of said parts being supported directly or. indirectly by the frame 22.

Base 2| may be of heavy weight to prevent move ment of the portable machine while in use.

The supply roll R of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape T is carried on the tape roll holder drum 23 towards the rear of the machine while the mechanism for withdrawing the tape from the roll, propelling it through the machine, dispensing it in lengths, and positioning it ready for removal and/or application to boxes, packages, envelopes, etc., is towards the front of the maings as illustrative of my invention is a. portable chine.

Tape holder drum 23 may be of a size to receive the standard commercial sizes of rolls ofv pres sure-sensitive adhesive tape such as that sold under the trade-mark Scotch, but if desired, the machine may be provided with several interchangeable drums or varying sizes.

The periphery of tape holder drum 23 is provided at intervals with ridges 23a extending parallel to the drums axis so as to insure a tight fit between the drum and the roll of tape notwithstanding any possible slight" variance in actual size of rolls that are used from time to time. The ridges also help to prevent slipping.

Tape holder drum 23 is rotatably mounted on frame 22 by means of axle-bolt 24 so that its axis is parallel to the base 2i and at right angles to the upright frame 22. It is aligned so that the full width of tape T will contact the cutting elements or edges on the cutter wheel 30 as the I tape is drawn forward from roll B through the machine.

Tape drum 23 is journaled onto an unthreaded portion 24b of axle-bolt 24 so as to turn freely thereon between the axle-bolt head 24c and a flange 2441 (Figure 3). Boss 22a isprovided as a part of frame 22 to provide adequate support for axle-bolt 24, the end of which is in threaded engagement with the boss. In order to make this threaded engagement sufficiently tight so as to make the' axle-bolt relatively rigid in the frame, the hole in the boss which receives the axle-bolt is enlarged for a limited depth to receive a spiral spring 24d which is concentric with the axle-bolt and which is loaded to press the axle-bolt (by pressing the flange 24a) in a direction away from the boss 22a. Axle-bolt head 240 is knurled to form a thumb-turn. The axlebolt may be turnedthereby to permit adjustment of the tape drum 23 laterally in respect to the machine as a whole so as to adjust roll R of tape T behind cutter wheel so in proper alignment.

An idler roller 25 is rotatably mounted in a manner hereinafter described in the upper part of frame 22 approximately midway between tape holder drum 23 and cutter wheel 30 over which the tape may be led as it passes forwardly from the supply roll to the cutting mechanism, its nonadhesive side contacting the idler roller.

A second idler roller 25 around which the tape maybe passed before it passes around the first idler roller is journaled onto horizontal shaft 21 which is rigidly fixed to boss 22b (Figure 4) on the lower part of the upright fram 22 below the first idler roller 25. The outer end of shaft 21 is threaded to receive thumb-turn 21a. Between the thumb-turn and the idler roller and likewise between the boss and the idler roller, are leather washers 212) so that when the thumb-turn is tightened, movement of the idler roller 26 is retarded because of the friction of the washers pressing against its two end surfaces.

. In the present embodiment, the tape T is with- -drawn from the supply roll R and propelled through the machine by reason of-its temporary adherence to a series of tape-gripping elements which are carried by the cutter wheel 30, the latter being a part of the dispensing mechanism at the forward part of the machine. The cutter wheel 30 carries a series of cutters 31 that are pirotally mounted in spaced relationship around the periphery of the cutter wheel 30. These cutters 31 are shaped and positioned to provide in one member both the tape-gripping elements or surfaces 310-412) and also the severing edges 31.1: (Figure '7).

Ordinarily the tension on the tape as it is being withdrawn from the supply roll by the pull of the cutter wheel, causes it to press against the tape-gripping elements 310. and 31b with enough force to make it adhere to said elements suificiently to enable the elements to hold or grip the tape until it is removed at the dispensing station. But if atmospheric or other conditions require a' greater pressure to be exerted, a pressing member may be employed to press the tape more firmly against the gripping elements. Such pressing member may be a roller 28 of resilient material such as rubber, preferably soft gum rubber, rotatably mounted on shaft 29 and positioned so that it presses against the gripping elements 31a, successively, as the cutter wheel 30 turns them past the roller.

Cutter wheel 30 is rigidly mounted on cutter wheel shaft 3| which is journaled into boss 22c perpendicular to the upright frame 22 and parallel with the base 2i and parallel with the axis of tape holder drum 23. Cutter wheel 30 carries a plurality of radially extending cutter arms 34; The number of cutter arms may vary. In the present embodiment there are six, spaced at intervals of Into the end of each cutter arm 34 there is journaled a cutter shaft 35 which extends parallel with the axis of cutter wheel 33. On the right end of each cutter shaft 35 there is rigidly fixed a quadrant shaped cutter cam On the left end of each cutter shaft 35 there is rigidly removably attached a-cutter 3'8.

As cutter wheel 30 turns, the weight of cutters 31 tends to turn their respective cutter shafts 35. As is hereinafter described, it is desirable that cutter shafts 35 be allowed to turn only when they are made to turn by their respective cams 35 striking pins 55 and 55. Some form of braking means is desirable. Accordingly, in each cutter arm 34 a hole extending radially with respect to cutter wheel 30 is bored from the outer tip of the arm inwardly toward, but not as far as, the center of cutter wheel 3! the center line of the hole intersecting the center line of the cutter shaft 35. Spiral spring 38 is placed therein- (Figure 6) loaded to pressthe leather i being ground to form a cutting edge (Figure 7).

v ting edge that is in use.

Surfaces 31a and 310 are ground, polished and lapped to form the cutting edge 31x; likewise surfaces 31b and 3111 are ground, polished and lapped to form the cutting edge 31y. When a cutter 3|.is fastened to its cutter shaft 35 in the position shown in Figure 7, then 311: is the out- When edge 371: becomes dull, screws 40 may be removed, the po- ,sition of the cutter reversed, and the cutter reattached to cutter shaft 35 by screws 43 through holes 4|, thereby placing the fresh edge 377; in position to be used as a cutting edge.

The cuttin edges of each cutter are preferably parallel with the axis of. cutter wheel 33, and therefore parallel with the axis of the tape holder drum 23.

Both of the lands 31a and 31b (Figure?) of any one cutter lie in approximatley the same plane, and it is this series of pairs of lands anvil member is a rotatably mounted cylinder or cutting roller 45 positioned to permit it to contact the cutting edges 31a: of each of the cutters 31 successively as the cutter wheel 30 turns.

The cutting roller 45 and the cutting edges 31x may be shaped and/or positioned so that a cutting edge contacts the roller at only a single point at any one time with the result that in operation, an edge contacts the roller point by point along the edges length which is preferableto having the full length of the edge contact the roller all at once. In the present embodiment this is accomplished by positioning the cylindrical zontal and by tipping the upright shaft 46 so that it is perpendicular to the axle-bolt; or the axlebolt 41 may be horizontal, the upright arm 46 vertical with the cutting roller 45 mounted at an angle therein; etc.

The lock nut 49, being in threaded engagement with the shaft 48 below the horizontal arm 46a, is set so that when the arm rests upon it, the cutting roller 45 will occupy a desired position, i. e., at the nearest point to the cutter wheel to which it comes at any time during the operation of the machine.

The horizontal arm 46a is yieldably held down against the lock nut cutting roller 45' in angular relation to the straight edges 31.1..

This angular relation makes it necessary for thecutter or the cutting roller or both to move for some distance in relation to each other so as to bring the full length of any one cutting edge 31:2: into contact point by point with the cutting roller 45. In the present embodiment substan tially all of the relative movement-of the two parts past each other is effected by movement of thecutters 31.

Since each cutting edge thus moves some distance in a circular path while it'is in contact with the cutting roller, and since the cutting roller is preferably made of a relatively unyield-- ing substance, and since it is preferable to have the full length of each cutting edge contacting the cutting roller at a substantially uniform pressure and at a pressure approximately equal to that'of the other cutting edges, and for other reasons, the-cutting roller is held' yieldably rather than rigidly in its normal position.

For this purpose an angular member having an upwardly extending arm 46 and a horizontally extending arm 46a is-pivotally mounted on the upright frame 22 by being journaled onto the axle-bolt 4 1 with its upright arm 46 equipped to hold rotatably the cutting roller and with the end of its horizontal arm 46a pierced to receive the vertical threaded shaft 48. Axle-bolt 41 pierces boss 22d and is in. threaded engagement therewith, said engagement being sufficiently tight to make axle-bolt 41 relatively rigid in the frame 22 but adjustable by turning axle-bolt head 41a. v I

The axis of the axle-bolt 41 is preferably parallel to the cutting edges of the cutters although 46 to the left of vertical (Figure 4) to form an acute angle with the axis of axle-bolt 41. However such desired angular relationship may also be secured by other means, for example, .by place ing axle-bolt 41 at therequired angle to hori- 49 by the heavy spiral spring 5|, whose upper end is adjustably stopped by the lock nut 50, at a tension sufficient to exert'a pressure between severing edges 31:: and cutting roller 45 during their time of contact to sever the tape T.

The anvil member 45 is preferably made of relatively hard material, though preferably softer than'the cutting edges 319:. In the present embodiment, it is of steel. Brass, copper, aluminum,

and other softer materials have been used successfully, but rollers of'suchmaterials tend to become scored toorapidly by the cutters. rollers periphery is preferably smooth. It gradually becomes scored by the cutting edges but will stand considerable use before needing replace-' ment.

Slightly above cutter wheel 30 two cutter cam pins 55 and 56 are rigidly fixed to frame 22, protruding outwardly therefrom toward the cutter wheel. Pin 55 is positioned so as to strike each' one of the cutter cams 36 on one of their two straight sides as cutter wheel 30 turns counterclockwise (Figures 1 and 11). This turns cutter shafts 35 one by one so as to raise the cutters from the cutting position of cutter 31-2 to the dispensing position of cutter 31-4 as they are shown in Figures 9 and 10. Pin 56 is positioned so as next to strike the cams on their other straight sides as they .pass and thereby to lower the cutters back again from dispensing to cutting position.

Cutter wheel 3|) is driven-by worm gear reduction motor M through the Geneva wheels 60 and GI which transmit the motion intermittently, as is well known in the art. Motor.M is rigidly fixed to the frame 22 by being mounted onto the hollow boss 22e by screws 58.

Power shaft 62 is the worm wheel shaft of the worm gear reduction box of the motor M and is journaled into boss 22f which is apart of upright frame 22.

On shaft 62 is rigidly mounted the driver Geneva wheel 60 which carries two driving pins 600: and 6012 located apart.

The driven Geneva wheel 6| is rigidly mounted on the end of cutter wheel shaft 3| opposite to the end on which cutter wheel 30 is mounted. It has six radial slots located 60 apart. At eachhalf revolution. of the Geneva driver 60, either the pin 6011 or the pin 60b engages one of these slots and turns the driven Geneva wheel 6|, and with it cutter wheel 30, one-sixth of a turn. Just as either pin (60a or 60b) is leaving any one slot at the end of a turn, the convex'surface 600 of Geneva driver 60 engages the next successive concave surface 6|a of driven Geneva wheel 6| so that wheel 6|. and with it cutter wheel 36,- is stopped precisely at the end of 60 of turn and is held thereuntil the next pin (66a or 601))- moves around to engage the next slot.

The-

The top of upright frame 22 is finished so as to support a guiding means in the form of a tablelike plane surface preferably parallel with the base 2!, across which are propelled the boxes, packages, etc., which are to be sealed. This table may conveniently take the form of the top of a sheet metal case which encloses the entire machine, as shown in the present embodiment, with a plane surface top 65, sides 66 and 61, and ends 68 and 69, all removably secured to base 2| by screws 10. Most of the left side 86 is in the form of a door H hinged at the bottom and held by a latch 12 that engages the top 65 so that the machine may be serviced therethrough without removing the entire casing. A rectangular aperture or slot ABCD is cut out of top 65 (its position is shown in dotted lines in Figure 3) to permit certain parts ofthe machine to extend up through the top, as hereinafter described.

Below the slot and immediately to the rear of and slightly above cutter wheel 30 a' lower roller 15 is journaled on a shaft 16 which is, rigidly fixed in frame- 22 perpendicular thereto and parallel with base 2!. The top of this lower roller is preferably flush with or perhaps slightly above the upper surface of easing top 65, but it may also be slightly below said surface.

To the rear of this lower roller there is journaled into boss Hi the shaft 11 on which are rigidly mounted the two parallel arms 78a and 18b which curve upwardly and forwardly, extending through the slot, and between whose ends is rotatably mounted the upper sealing roller 19. The curve in the arms may be angular or a square elbdw-like turn, or of any convenient shape to prevent their contacting the objects being pro-- pelled through the machine.

The right end of roller arm shaft 11 extends for a distance beyond the supporting boss 221'. Around this extending portion of the shaft, concentric with its axis, is placed a spiral spring 80, its right end fixed to the shaft, its left end to boss 221' and loaded to revolve the shaft in a direction to press roller 19 downwardly upon roller 15. r

The two sealing rollers 15 and 19 are preferably of a resilient material such as rubber.

The drawings show roller 15 as being directly below roller 19. It may be slightly forward of the position shown. Also it may be considerably to the rear thereof so long as the axis of upper roller '19 does not come below the .top surface of the table or top 65. If the top of lower roller I is below the surface 65 so that it does not serve as a sealing roller, then the roller 4 need not be a rotatable element, but may be any means that will stop the forward swing of upper roller 19 and also bend the piece of tape T--l upwardly in the manner hereinafter described in the Mode of operation.

Directly below the upper sealingroller arm 78b the switching arm 85 is rigidly fixed to switching shaft 86 which is journaled into frame 22 perpendicular thereto at the point where the frame is reinforced by boss 22g. Idler roller 25, previously described, is journaled on the left end of shaft 86.

Switching arm 85 extends outwardly from its shaft 86 so that its end will be contacted and pressed downwardly by the convex portion of upper sealing roller arm 18b when the latter turns counter-clockwise (Figure 11) about the axis of its shaft 11.

At the opposite or right end of switching shaft 86 the spring arm 81 is rigidly removably atall) tached thereto by screw 88. Its downwardly extending free end is attached to the boss 22c by a spiral spring 89 which is adjusted so that after switching arm has been depressed by the upper sealing roller arm 181). the spring 89 will draw spring arm 81 and with it switching arm 85 back again to the normal or starting position which they are shown as occupying in all the figures except Figure 11. Retention in normal position may be secured by a suitable adjustable stop against which spring 89 may hold the arm, or, as in the present embodimentl by adjusting the tension of spring 89 to equal the downward pull exerted by the weight of switching arm 95 when the parts are in normal or starting position.

A leaf spring 90 is also removably rigidly attached to the right end of switching shaft 86 at the same point as is spring arm 81 and by the same screw 88. It extends downwardly and is adjusted in a position forward of spring arm Bl so that when switching arm 85 is depressed, the leaf spring 99, turning in unison with it by reason of their rigid attachment to the same switching shaft 85, will press the on point 9! of reset micro switch 92 which is rigidly fixed to frame 22 at boss 22h.

By a reset switch is meant one having two pins, one of which is pressed to make the circuit and .the other to break the circuit, such that when the on pin is pressed, the switch remains closed until the off pin is pressed, whereupon the switch opens and the on pin is raised to initial open position.

On the opposite or front side of switch 92 is the off point 93. This is pressed by leaf spring 94 which is rigidly attached to the front side of the switch by a screw. Leaf spring 94 is adjusted to bear against the switch cam wheel 95 which is adjustably mounted on power shaft 62 and adjusted so that its earns 95 as they pass will press leaf spring 94 rearwardly far enough to press the off point 93 of the switch 92.

The supply of electric power to the entire machine may be controlled by a snap switch lllll shown set into the right side 61 of the casing. Connections are shown in the circuit diagram Figure 8. A terminal block may be used, its housing being shown at IN.

The top 65 of the casing may be provided with guides (not shown) to prevent lateral movement of boxes, etc., as they are being propelled across the machine during sealing and to permit a piece of tape to be placed on each box at a uniform distance from a given edge of such box.

Mode of operation A roll R of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape T is mounted on the drum 23, and positioned so that when the tape is led from the supply roll R to the cutter wheel 30, the adhesive side faces up. The axle-bolt 24 on which the drum 23 is journaled, is moved to the right or left (in relation to the machine) by turning the thumb-turn 260 until the roll R is aligned directly behind the cutters 31 o the cutter wheel 30.

The tape is led from the roll R over the idler roller 25 to the cutter wheel 30 Since the tape is withdrawn from the su ply/roll and propelled through the machine by the cutter wheel, and since the propelling force of the cutter wheel is exerted on the tape by reason of the tapes temporary adherence to the series of tape-gripping elements 3'la-3'Ib on the cutters 31 which are on 31b. The pull necessary to withdraw the tape from the roll over the idler roller 25 usually provides pressure enoughto secure the necessary adhesion. But if, due to atmospheric or other conditions, greater pressure is needed, the tape may be led first around idler roller 22 as shown by the dotted line T in Figure 1 and then around roller 25. The tapes adhesive side contacts roller 26, and consequently there is temporary adwheel in adhesive contact with the tape-carrying surfaces 3'Ia-3'Ib. In practice this is best done by hand as far as cutter 31-3 (Figure 9) and by thepower mechanism (whose operation is hereinafter described) for the rest of the way, that is, until the first severed length oftape T--I is held out by the cutter 31| in dispensor station ing position at the dispensing point (Figure 9).

The box B, or other object to which tape is to be applied around its lower edge in the manner shown in Figure 13, is placed on the top 65 of the casing and is pushed or otherwise advanced rearwardly along. the top 65 toward the severed ver-' tically held piece of tape T-l in the direction of the arrow (Figure 9). The box contacts the tape T-I and continues to move until the box is pressing the tape Tl against the upper sealing roller 19; The adhesive side of the tape faces the box B and it therefore adheres thereto.

As the box continues to advance, the roller 19,

is therebyforced to swing rearwardly and upwardly on the pivotal mounting ll of its supporting arms 18a and 18b. This presses the'upper portion of the tape T-l against the end of the, box B by reason of the roller 19 rolling upwardly along the tapes length with the spiral spring 8B acting to press the roller 19 against the ad- After the roller 19' vancing box (Figure 10). has reached the top of its swing, the continued advance of thebox causes it to swing further about the shaft 11 whereupon it -moves downwardly along the tape T-l until it reaches the lower edge of the box and is entirely over-ridden by the advancing box, as in Figure 11. I Meanwhile, directly after the box first contacts the tape T,l and begins to carry it along,

' the lower portion of the piece of tape T-l is thereby pulled loose from the tape-gripping'elements Tia-31b on the cutter 3'l-l, and is bent or directed upwardlyltowards the bottom of the box by the lower roller 15. .If roller I5 is positioned high enough to contact the bottom of the box, it will then serve as a sealing roller also and willpress tape T-l against the bottom of the box. In either case, the upper roller 19 presses-the full length of, the lower portion of tape T-I upwardlyagainst the bottom of the box as the box continues to advance over it, as shown in Figure 11.

Thus the full length of thepiece of tape T-l is pressed against the side and bottom of the and to seal them in that position, as shown in Figure 13. a

The box continues to be advanced after sealing until it is clear of the roller 19, whereupon the spring 80 returns the roller to its starting position by swinging it forwardly until it is stopped by resting uponthe lower roller 15.

In the meantime the downward movement of upper roller arm 18b has depressed the switching arm (Figure 10) which, through its shaft 86, moves spring arm 81 (Figure 5) and with it leaf spring forwardly a sufiicient distance to press the on point 9| of reset switch 92.

The box B, advancing at what'has been found to be a reasonable operating speed, will almost immediately thereafter have passed on beyond the upper roller l9,whereupon roller 19 is swung back to its starting position (Figure 9) by spring 80 (Figures 3 and 4). The switching arm 85 is thereby released and is returned to starting position (Figure 9) by the pull of the spring 89 on arm 81 (Figure 2) which moves switching arm 85 by means of their common shaft 86; and this movement also removes the leaf spring 90 from the .o point 9| of the switch, thus rendering the on" point free to reset itself, 1. e., to snap back into starting position when the off point is pressed later on. i

Pressing the on point 9| of the switch 92, as above stated, starts the motor M which turns the power shaft 62 clockwise (Figure 5). The lower or driver Geneva wheel 60, being rigidly mounted thereon, turns with it and drives the upper Geneva wheel 6| in a manner well known in the art, namely, by reason of the driving pin 60a (in alternation with pin 60b) engaging one the upper which, being now free to turn, is turned counterclockwise (Figure 5). Its movement for each turning impulse (by either of the pins 60a or 60b) is limited to 60. of turn because at the end of that distance the pin 60a (or 60b) leaves its radial slot thereby ceasing to drive the upper wheel and at the same moment the next convex surface 600 engages its complementaryconcave:

. surface Gla, thereby locking the upper wheel against any further movement. At or about this time, one of the cams 96, which is on the adjustable switch cam wheel 95, presses the leafspring 94 rearwardly (to the left in Figure 5) far enough to press the o1f" point 93 of switch- 92. The cam wheel 95 may be adjusted to switch off the motor at such a point that the motor will box. Some. parts of it are pressed twice and all of it may be pressed twice, if lower roller 15 is positioned high enough to act as a sealing roller.

' coast to a stop before the next pin 606 (or 60a) engages the upper wheel. Since no turning impulse is applied to the upper wheel from the time the pin 6011 (or 6%) leaves its slot until the other pin60b (or 80a) enters the next slot, the lower wheel has of coast" which has proved to be ample when the motor acts through worm gears, as in the present embodiment.

It is thus seen that the depressing of the switching arm 85 (Figure 11) and the prompt re lease thereof (both the depressing and releasing being initiated by the movement of the box B across the surface 65 of the casing top) causes the upper or driven Geneva wheel Bl to turn exactly 60, then to stop and to be locked against further turning until the next box is advanced far enough to depress the switching arm again. Themaximum amount of time that the box can be per-' mitted to hold the sealing roller 19 down (and with it the switching arm 85-Figure 10), must be, within the time it takes for the cam 96 to turn far enough to cause the off point 83 of switch 92 to be pressed, for if the yieldable pressure of leaf spring so against the on point (Figure is continued, it will again press the on point so as to start the motor for a second cycle as soon as cam 96 coasts far enough to release the ofi" point. As described above, in a reset switch such as is here illustrated, the on point resets as soon as the ofi" point is pressed, and vice versa.

The upper Geneva wheel drives the cutter wheel 30, by means of their common shaft 3|, counter-- clockwise (Figures 9, l0 and 11). The tape, as previously explained, is trained around the cutter wheel in contact with the tape-gripping surfaces 3'la-3'lb, and it also passes over the severing or cutting edges. 31a: on each of the cutters 31. As the cutter wheel turns, these cutting edges successively press against the anvil member or cuting roller 45, each edge contacting the roller point by point along its own length until the entire length of the cutting edge has been pressed against the roller, whereby the tape which lies between the edge and the roller, is severed.

This severing is shown in the present embodiment as coming just at the end of a dispensing cycle or 60 movement of the cutter wheel. In Figure 9 the piece of tape T-2 is shown as having just been severed, the cutter wheel is motionless and the piece of severed tape is held on the surfaces 3|a-3|b of cutter 3|2 by reason of its adherence thereto, in readiness to be raised up at the end of the next cycle into the position which the piece T-l now occupies in Figure 9.

In Figure 11 the next cycle is halfway completed. The turning of the cutter. wheel has brought the cam 36 of cutter 31-2 into contact with cam pin 55 whereby cutter 31-2 is being raised into dispensing position. The piece 3|3 is not yet severed but will be at the end of the cycle when it is pressed between the cutting edge 31:: of cutter 3|- l and the cutting roller 45. The cutter 31-1 which originally held the piece of tape T--l has been turned back down again into cutting position by reason of its cam 36 contacting the cam pin 56. I 7

Thus it is seen that, without touching the tape or anypart of the machine, an operator may seal the bottom edges of a box in the manner shown in Figure 13 simply by propelling the box rapidly across the top of the illustrated machine, and that as soon as one piece of tape is thus applied a succeeding piece is quickly and automatically positioned in readiness for the next application.

Where two machines are placed .with their ,tops facing each other (Figure 12) two edges of the same box can be sealed simultaneously.

- For example, the box in Figure 13 can be sealed 1 with pieces I01 and I08 by being propelled only once between the machines in Figure 12.

Reference is made earlier in the description to threading a fresh roll of tape through the dispenser partly by hand and partly by the power mechanism. It may now be seen that the hand threading would go probably as far as cutter 31-3 in Figure 9 and that successive depressions of the switching arm by hand would turn the cutter wheel until a piece of tape (as T| in Figure 9 is positioned for dispensing.

Dispenser and applier units embodying the principles of my. invention may be built into packaging and wrapping machines, etc.

It will be apparent that very accurate measurement of lengths of tape can be secured. This is of especial advantage when dispensing and applying tape that is printed to form a series of labels, stickers, trade-mark'emblems, etc.

Tape and sheet material" are regarded as being interchangeable terms wherever used throughout the specification and claims, that is, tape" is used generically to refer to sheets which are long in proportion to width.

Also the terms top, above, below, etc., are relative terms and not limiting terms, since for example, the machine may be used when on its end or side as in Figure 12 in which position the top or table 65 would not be horizontal or uppermost;

I claim:

1. In an adhesive tape dispenser and applier adapted for sealing boxes and the like by application of a piece of tape about an edge thereof as the object is advanced, a table for guiding objects when advanced to and through sealing position,

'for sealing, a resilient swinging roller, arms carrying said roller and normally positioning the roller with its axis above said aperture, said arms being pivotally mounted to permit said roller to swing back above said aperture and thence down into the aperture and means for yieldingly restraining said motion, said arms being shaped to prevent contact with objects being sealed, means for projecting successive pieces of tape through the aperture in front of said roller with the non-adhesive back toward the roller, the latter means releasably holding the lower ends only of the pieces of tape such that the lower end of each piece of tape when in sealing position is held below the aperture and afree portion projects through the aperture, so that when a box or like object is moved across the table and over the aperture the upper free portion of a projecting piece of tape will adhereto the face portion of the object and the swinging roller will ride up on the object and then down to and around the edge and across the bottom to press the tape in firm sealing contact around'the edge and said roller will return to initial position after the object haspassed over it, and means for automatically advancing a succeeding piece of tape into sealing position following each sealing operation.

2. In the dev'ce of claim 1, a fixed roller mounted below 2121c initial position of the swinging roller and dapted, during a sealing operation, tobend the lower end portion of the piece of tape around the edge of the object being sealed as the latter advances thereover and to aid in releasing the lower end of the tape from the means holding it.

3. In the device of claim 1, control means responsive to movement of the swinging roller to initiate operation of the means for advancing a succeeding piece of tape to sealing position.

4. A machine of the character described comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive material into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter in one direction, means for applying said piece of material to said article upon movement of the article in said direction, and an operative con-' nection between said feeding means and said applying means for actuating said feeding means.

5. An adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive tape into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter in one direction, means for applying said piece of tape to said articl upon movement of the article in said direction, and means for automatically actuating said feeding means in response to movement of said applying-means.

6. A pressure-sensitive adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding a piece of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter thereagainst, means for applying the piece of tape to the article upon said movement, and means for automatically ac-' tuating said feeding means in response to said movement of the article to automatically position a further piece of tape ready for application.

7. An adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive tape intoa predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter thereagainst, means for applying said piece of tapeto said article upon said movement and means connecting said feeding means and said applying means whereby operation of the latter produces a, further operation of the feeding means to automatically position a further piece of tape.

1 8. An adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive tape I into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter thereagainst, power driving means for operating the feeding means, means for applying said piece of tape to said article upon said movement, and means connecting said power driving means and said applying means whereby operation of the latter produces a further operation of the feeding means to automatically position a further piece of tape.

9. A machine of thecharacter described comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive material into a predetermined-position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter in one direction, means for applying said piece of material to said article including a presser normally disposed at the side of said piece of material opposite said article so that said piece of adhesive material will be pressed between said article and said presser and thus adhesively attached to the article upon movement of said article in said di-' rection, said presser being movable by and with said article during continuationof said movement of the article, means for actuating said posed at the side of said piece of tape opposite said article so that said piece of adhesive tape will bepressed between said article and said presser and thus be adhesively attached to the article upon movement of said article in said direction, said presser being movable by and with said articl during continuation of said movepresser in the other direction into normal position, and means for automatically actuating said feeding means in response to movement of said applying means.

11. An adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding apiece of adhesive tape into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter thereagainst, means movable in response to pressure of the article thereagainst for applying said piece of tape to said article upon said movement, and

means connecting said feeding means and said applying means whereby operation of the latter produces a further operation of the feeding means to automatically position a further piece of tape.

12. An adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive tape into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter thereagainst, power driving means for operating the feeding means, means movable in response to pressure of the article thereagainst for applying said piece of tape to said article upon said move-. ment, and means connecting said power driving means and said applying means whereby operation of the latter produces a further operation of the feeding means to automatically position a further piece of tape.

13. An automatic pressure-sensitive adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising a dispensing mechanism for withdrawing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from aroll and feeding succes- -sive pieces into a predetermined applying position ready for engagement by an article 'upon movement of the latter toward and against the tacky side of a positioned piece of tape, means for applying the positioned piece of tape to the article including a movable presser normally disposed at the back of the piece of tape and adapted to be moved by the article when the latter is moved against the piece'of tape and presser,

means for restoring the presser to normal position following application of the,piece of tape ment of the article, means for actuating said presser in the other direction into normal position, and an operative connection between said presser and said feeding means for actuating the latter.

10. An adhesive tape dispenser and applier comprising means for feeding a piece of adhesive tape into a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement of the latter in one article including a movable presser normally disposed at the bac .of the piece of tape and adapt ed'to be moved by the article when the latter is moved against the piece of tapev and presser, means for restoring the presser to normal position following application of thepiece of tape for applying thizpositioned piece of tape to the to the article, and power driving means actuated Y direction. mean for applying piece of tape 76 said dis by movement of said movable presser for driving pensing mechanism to automatically feed to said article including a presser normally dis-- 1 tape extends when held at the a further piece of tape to applying position following application of the preceding piece of tape.

15, A device for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and applying it about the edge of an object comprising means for withdrawing tape from a supply roll, means for cutting it into accurately measured pieces of predetermined length, means for thrusting out a cut piece and releasably holding it by adhesive contact therewith at a dispensing station in a position to be contacted on its adhesive side by a side surface of the object being taped, and sealing means for pressing the piece into adhesive engagement with the side and bottom surfaces of the object.

16. A device for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and applying it about the edge of an object comprising means for withdrawing tape from a supply roll, means for cutting it into accurately measured pieces of predetermined length, means for thrusting out a cut piece and releasably holding it by adhesive contact therewith at a dispensing station in a position to be" contacted on its adhesive side by a side surface of the object, sealing means positioned to press th tape against the side and bottom when the object is propelled adjacent thereto, a support for guiding the object, and power driving means and associatedcontrol means adapted to automatically advance the next'piece of tape to dispensing position after the preceding piece has been applied.

17. An automatic box sealer comprising means for withdrawing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape from a supply roll, meanshfor cutting it into accurately measured pieces of predetermined length, means for successively thrusting out and releasably holding out pieces of the tape by adhesive contact therewith at a dispensing station in a position such that each successive cut piece may be contacted on its adhesive side by the leading side surface of a box with a free portion of tape projecting below the box, sealing means positioned to press the piece of tape against the side and bottom of the box when the box is propelled adjacent thereto, a supporting surface for guiding the box having an aperture over which the box is passed and through which the piece of dispensing station, and power driving means and associated control means adapted-to automatically advance the next piece of tape to dispensing position after the preceding piece has been applied.

8. In a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape dispenser and applier, means for supporting and guiding boxes or other objects which are to be advanced into position for sealing by application ofv a piece of tape about the leading edge, applier means for pressing a piece of tape about such an edge when the object to be sealed is moved into engagement therewith, feeding means for unwinding tape from a roll thereof and advancing it and means for automatically severing successive terminal portions into pieces of. desired length, means for releasably holding each severed piece of tape at one end only with a substantial portion extending free of .support and bringing the severed piece into position for application with the free, portion of the tape extending into the path of, the object to be sealed so that the object will press against the adhesive face of the tape when moved into engagement with the applier means, driving means and as-' sociatedcontrol means for automaticallyactuat ing said feeding means in response to said movement of the object to automatically advance the next piece of tape into position for application after the preceding piece has'been applied, so that a severed piece of tape is waiting in posi-- tion for application at the end of each cycle and objects may be automatically sealed when moved into engagement with the applier.

19. In an adhesive tape dispenser and applier, means for supporting and guiding boxes or other objects which are to be advanced into position for sealing byapplication of a piece of tape about the leading edge, applier means for pressing a piece of tape about such an edge when the object to be sealed is advanced into engagement therewith, means for unwinding tape from a roll thereof and advancing it and means for automatically severing successive terminal portions into accurately measured pieces of desired length, means for releasably holding each severed piece of tape at one end only with a substantial portion extending free of support and [or bringing the severed piece into position for application with the free portion of the tape extending v into the path of the object to be sealed so that the object will press against the adhesive face of the tape when brought into engagement with, the applier means, power driving means and associated control means Y rality of peripheral adapted to automatically advance the next piece of tape into position for application after the preceding piece has been applied, so

that a severed piece of tape is waiting in position for application at the end of each cycle and objects may be automatically sealed when moved into engagement with the applier, said control means being actuated by the movement of said applier means so that the next piece of tape will not be advanced until after the said engagement.

20. In a device for dispensing and applying adhesive tape, means for holding a supply roll of tape, a wheel adapted to receive tape from the roll, said wheel having tape-gripping means positioned thereon adapted to contact a portion of the tape, means on the wheel and means adjacent the wheel adapted to coact to sever the tape,

one of the said coacting means comprising a cutting edge and the other comprising an anvil member against which the edge may press the tape, the said coacting means being positioned so that the tape is pressed therebetween as the wheel rotates, thereby severing the tape with the severed piece still held by the tape-gripping means, driving means and associated control means for intermittently rotating said wheel so that the machine operates in dispensing cycles to bring successive pieces of severed tape to a dispensing station in step-by-step fashion, applier means located at the dispensing station and comprising a pressing member positioned adjacent the severed pieceof tape when brought to.

the dispensing station and adapted to press the piece against an object when the object is advanced against'it, said control means being actuated by movement of said pressing member to initiate a succeeding cycle of operation.

21. In a device for dispensing and applying adhesive tape, a rotatable wheel having a plugripping means extending parallel'to its axis adapted to receive tape from a roll thereof and carry it to a dispensing station, each of said gripping means being adapted to turn on a peripheral axis parallel to the axis of the wheel means for severing the tape into successive pieces as said wheel rotates so that each severed piece is thereafter held by gripping free, means for turning each gripping means after tape held thereby has been severed to' turn the held piece of tape so that it'extends outward- 1y from the wheel in position for removal when rotation of the wheel brings it to the dispensing station, means for intermittently rotating said asaaav? v 9 means Lat one end only leaving the other end wheel so that successive pieces of severed tape are brought to the dispensing station in step-by- "step fashion, and mechanical means for pressing the outwardly extending pieces of tape against objects brought into operative relation therewith.

A. ANDERSON. 

